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HP CEO Goes On the Lam As Oracle Hunts Him Down

Posted by CmdrTaco on from the it-only-gets-stranger dept.

theodp writes "Oracle said HP has refused to accept a subpoena requiring new CEO Leo Apotheker to testify in a trial against his former employer SAP, which will determine how much SAP owes Oracle for copyright infringement by its discontinued TomorrowNow unit. 'Mr. Apotheker started work for HP on Monday, but it now appears that the HP board of directors has decided to keep him away from HP's headquarters and outside the court's jurisdiction,' an Oracle spokeswoman said. 'We will continue to try to serve him,' she added. An HP spokeswoman countered: 'Given Leo's limited knowledge of and role in the matter, Oracle's last-minute effort to require him to appear live at trial is no more than an effort to harass him and interfere with his duties and responsibilities as HP's CEO.' The spokeswoman declined to discuss the whereabouts of Mr. Apotheker, who was featured in a 2006 SAP/TomorrowNow press release attacking the 'uncertainty' of Oracle. Coincidentally, among the charges leveled at SAP/TomorrowNow was 'pretextual customer log-in,' an area in which HP has some subject matter expertise."

13 of 137 comments (clear)

  1. CEO? Must be in Taihiti by Enderandrew · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Why would a CEO be at work? That is just a silly assumption.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
    1. Re:CEO? Must be in Taihiti by Stargoat · · Score: 4, Funny

      In 2010, a cracked CEO was sent to prison by a patent court for a crime he didn't commit. This man promptly escaped from a maximum security stockade to the Los Angeles underground. Today, still wanted by the government, he survives as a soldier of fortune. If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find him, maybe you can hire... The HP-Team.

      --
      Hoist Number One and Number Six.
  2. Don't mess with Larry by wandazulu · · Score: 3, Funny

    He's a ninja.

    Or, at least, he can afford to hire a bunch of them.

  3. Don't worry... by DWMorse · · Score: 3, Funny

    Don't worry, they'll find him when he checks his Facebook page!

    --
    There's a spot in User Info for World of Warcraft account names? Really?
  4. Is it me or by Anon-Admin · · Score: 3, Interesting

    has HP become less than reputable, Sun's continued existence become questionable, Oracle's motives become dubious, all while Linux continues to gain market share.

    Ok, the Linux bit was just for fun, but really what in the heck is the Tech world smoking. It is getting strange!

    1. Re:Is it me or by Sponge+Bath · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ...has HP become less than reputable

      Eventually, your reputation reflects your actions. I think HP has thoroughly buried its previous reputation as an innovator and great place to work.

  5. How about... by blisteringsilence · · Score: 5, Interesting

    He's traveling right now. I saw him in Plano last week, and he's been to many HP sites worldwide in the last 3 weeks, in a bid to calm employees and reassure HP's biggest customers. I don't know what this BS is about the board keeping him away. He's doing his job, meeting people and reaching out.

    And after hearing him speak and meeting with him last week, I have to say I'm impressed. He's not the used car salesman that Mark was, nor the fiery bitch that Carli was. He's kind of a geek, and a definite software nerd. Not only that, he genuinely impressed me. He's sharp and capable without being slimy. And unlike most Germans, he appears to have had his sense of humor reinstalled.

    Moreover, he's SMART about the tech HP sells, and why people buy it in a way that Mark never was.

    And I'll take that.

    1. Re:How about... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

      Glad you like him. We had him for too short a time I think. I totally agree with your assessment of him as a person. The only downside that I remember is that he has a small case of foot-in-mouth disease. About 1 in every 4 meetings he would say something that I'm sure made the PR people cringe. On the up side, it makes listening to his keynotes and Q&A more interesting.

    2. Re:How about... by Red+Flayer · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Yeah, but SAP is a largely German company. German employees demand they be treated well.

      HP is global, but largely American. We Americans bend over and take it in the ass gleefully, compared to German workers. Especially since the fearmongers have us running scared due to the economy.

      --
      "Trolls they were, but filled with the evil will of their master: a fell race..." -- J.R.R. Tolkien on Olog-hai
  6. I'm confused by somaTh · · Score: 3, Interesting

    How is HP not guilty of obstruction of justice?

    Like I really need to say it, but here it is anyway: IANAL.

    --
    Nostalgia isn't what it used to be.
    1. Re:I'm confused by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Interesting

      He is the CEO of an american multinational, he has spent most of his life in Belgium and Germany. I would imagine his only reasons to set foot on US soil are business meetings and site visits. Considering the extent of HPs international holdings and operations, he need never visit the nation during his tenure as chief executive. Unless you fancy trying to extradite a witness, it's probably better for Oracle just to "let it go". ... background: I worked for a US multinational corp for a decade and avoided having to submit to the indignity of US border controls.

  7. Actually... by uzd4ce · · Score: 3, Insightful

    He's been travelling to HP sites across the globe to get face to face employee input and hopefully boost morale. I'd much rather he do that and get a handle on the company than submit to Oracle's harassment in a suit where he's already given sworn, taped testimony. The last thing HP needs is another lame-ass distraction for the CEO.

  8. Hmmm..... by mseeger · · Score: 4, Informative

    Honestly: if Oracle is after him, the guy must be inocent.